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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Outboard shaft lenght		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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buddha
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/24/2026 :  12:32:31  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I am replacing the outboard on my 250 and the manual recommends an extra long shaft. There is much more selection in long shafts. How important is having a extra long shaft?

Thanks
John
Catalina 250 hull 42

Ellen254
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2026 :  12:37:21  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
You definitely want a longer shaft. Because the outboard mounts so high up on the transom, a shorter shaft isn't going to sit low enough in the water.
2004 C250WK #750 Waco, TX
"Ba-de-ya"
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3515 Posts
Response Posted - 07/24/2026 :  21:09:46  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I am not familiar with the mounting for a Cat250, however, based on what you indicated that the manual recommends an extra long shaft and also Ellen's comments, I would only consider extra long shaft outboards. My Cat 25 also has an xtra long shaft outboard.

The issue is that a shorter shaft outboard used on a sailboat, the outboard may not sit low enough in the water to ensure that adequate water is pumped for water cooling - It may suck in air. Also, while the prop may be fully in the water at the dock, it may not be low enough and then when applying the throttle, the prop will start to cavitate. This is also a real concern when you trying to make forward progress but have to deal with a wake, waves and whitecaps and the prop momentarily comes out of the water or cavitates in the water.

If you know for sure that the outboard you are considering does not have an xtra long shaft but has been used by others on a Cat250 and in similar waters as you, I would not consider it.
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
Edited by - OLarryR on 07/24/2026 21:11:39
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.